Bypass pathway for providing auxiliary power from a docking station

ABSTRACT

A docking station according to embodiments provides power to an Information Handling System (IHS) coupled to the docking station. The docking station includes a first power circuit supporting a first power output according to a power delivery protocol limited to a first power level. The docking station also includes a second power circuit supporting a second power output for providing the input power of the docking station to the IHS. A controller of the docking station determines whether the IHS requires power using the power delivery protocol and selects the operation of the first or second power circuit. The docking station may support dual of such selectable power pathways using a docking cable joined from two individual cables, where each cable provides a separate power and/or data coupling. The docking station thus supports powering devices according to a power delivery protocol or using the input power to the docking station.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to, and is a continuation ofcommonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/400,167, filed May1, 2019 and also entitled “Bypass Pathway for Providing Auxiliary Powerfrom a Docking Station,” which is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No.11,150,698 on Oct. 19, 2021, and which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to Information Handling Systems(IHSs), and more specifically, to powering and charging IHSs.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generallyprocesses, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data forbusiness, personal, or other purposes. Because technology andinformation handling needs and requirements may vary between differentapplications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allowfor IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific usesuch as financial transaction processing, airline reservations,enterprise data storage, global communications, etc. In addition, IHSsmay include a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

A docking station may be used to support the use of a mobile IHS whileat a workstation that is available for use at a fixed location. Thedocking station may support use of the mobile IHS via external displaysand other I/O devices such as speakers, external keyboards and a mouse.In addition, a docking station may be a source of electrical power for amobile IHS while the mobile IHS is docked. A mobile IHS may utilize thepower provided by a docking station for powering the mobile IHS and forrecharging the internal batteries of the IHS. In some scenarios, such asat a public workstation, a docking station may support multipledifferent types of mobile IHSs.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a docking station is configured for providingpower to a first Information Handling System (IHS) that is coupled tothe docking station. The docking station includes: a power inputreceived from an AC power adapter; a first power circuit supporting afirst power output for providing the power input to the first IHSaccording to a power delivery protocol limiting the first power outputto a first output power level; a second power circuit supporting asecond power output for providing the power input to the first IHS; anda main controller configured to interface with the first IHS todetermine whether the IHS requires power delivery according to the powerdelivery protocol and further configured to select the operation of thefirst power circuit or the second power circuit for providing power thefirst IHS.

In additional docking station embodiments, the first IHS is coupled tothe docking station via a first docking cable and wherein the dockingstation routes power output from the first power circuit and the secondpower circuit to the first IHS via the first docking cable. Inadditional docking station embodiments, the first power circuitcomprises a voltage regulator and a first port controller, wherein themain controller is further configured to enable and disable the firstpower circuit via configuration of the first port controller. Inadditional docking station embodiments, the second power circuitcomprises a pair of load switching transistors, wherein the maincontroller is further configured to enable and disable the second powercircuit via configuration of the pair of load switching transistors. Inadditional embodiments, the docking station further includes a thirdpower circuit supporting a third power output for providing the powerinput to the first IHS according to the power delivery protocol limitingthe second power output to the first output power level; and a fourthpower circuit supporting a fourth power mode output for providing thepower input to the first IHS. In additional docking station embodiments,the main controller is further configured to interface with the firstIHS to determine whether the first IHS supports dual pathway powerdelivery and further configured to select the operation of the thirdpower circuit or the fourth power circuit for providing addition powerto the first IHS. In additional docking station embodiments, the firstIHS is further coupled to the docking station via a second docking cableand wherein the docking station routes power output from the third powercircuit and the fourth power circuit to the first IHS via the seconddocking cable. In additional docking station embodiments, a plug of thefirst docking cable and a plug of the second docking cable are coupledto form a single docking plug. In additional docking stationembodiments, the single docking plug comprises a first connector and asecond connector and wherein the first connector and the secondconnector are received by adjacent docking ports of the first IHS.

In various additional embodiments, a method provides power to a firstInformation Handling System (IHS) that is coupled to a docking station.The method includes: receiving a power input from an AC power adapter;using a first power circuit supporting a first power output to providethe power input to the first IHS according to a power delivery protocollimiting the first power output to a first output power level; using asecond power circuit supporting a second power output to provide thepower input to the first IHS; interfacing, by a controller of thedocking station, with the first IHS to determine whether the first IHSrequires power delivery according to the power delivery protocol; andselecting, by the controller, the operation of the first power circuitor the second power circuit for providing power the first IHS.

In additional method embodiments, the first IHS is coupled to thedocking station via a first docking cable and wherein the method furthercomprises routing power output from the first power circuit and thesecond power circuit to the first IHS via the first docking cable. Inadditional method embodiments, the first power circuit comprises avoltage regulator and a first port controller, and wherein the methodfurther includes enabling and disabling the first power circuit viaconfiguration of the first port controller by the controller. Inadditional method embodiments, the second power circuit comprises a pairof load switching transistors, wherein the method further comprisesenabling and disabling the second power circuit via configuration, bythe controller, of the pair of load switching transistors. In methodembodiments, the method further includes using a third power circuitsupporting a third power output to provide the power input to the firstIHS or a second IHS according to the power delivery protocol limitingthe second power output to the first output power level; and using afourth power circuit supporting a fourth power mode output to providethe power input to the first IHS or the second IHS. In additionalembodiments, the method further includes interfacing, by the controller,with the second IHS to determine whether the second IHS requires powerdelivery according to the power delivery protocol; and selecting, by thecontroller, the operation of the third power circuit or the fourth powercircuit for providing power the second IHS.

In various additional embodiments, a cable couples a docking station toa first IHS (Information Handling System). The cable incudes: a cordcomprising, at a first end received by a docking port of the first IHS,a first plug and a second plug; the first plug comprising a firstconnector for transmitting power and data between the first IHS and thedocking station and further comprising a first coupling; and the secondplug comprising a second connector for transmitting additional power andadditional data between the IHS and the docking station and furthercomprising a second coupling, wherein the first plug and the second plugare joined to form a single docking plug by mating of the first couplingand the second coupling.

In additional cable embodiments, the first coupling and the secondcoupling are magnets of opposing polarities. In additional cableembodiments, the first connector and the second connector of the singledocking plug are received by adjacent docking ports of the first IHS. Inadditional cable embodiments, the first connector and the secondconnector are USB-C connectors received by USB-C ports of the first IHSconfigured as docking ports. In additional cable embodiments, the singledocking plug is separated and the first plug is received by a dockingport of the first IHS and the second plug is received by a power port ofthe second IHS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention(s) is/are illustrated by way of example and is/arenot limited by the accompanying figures, in which like referencesindicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated forsimplicity and clarity, and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting certain components of an IHSoperable according to various embodiments for use with a docking stationsupporting dual bypass pathways for providing auxiliary power.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem including a docking station and an IHS.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a first configuration of an embodiment ofan IHS docking cable that supports dual power pathways.

FIG. 2C is an illustration of a second configuration of an embodiment ofan IHS docking cable that supports dual power pathways.

FIG. 2D is an illustration of an embodiment of an IHS docking cable thatis coupled to an IHS and provides the IHS with dual power pathways.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem supporting a bypass pathway for providing auxiliary power to anIHS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem supporting dual bypass pathways for providing auxiliary power toan IHS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an Information Handling System (IHS)may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalitiesoperable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, orother purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer (e.g.,desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server orrack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device andmay vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. An IHSmay include Random Access Memory (RAM), one or more processing resourcessuch as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or hardware or software controllogic, Read-Only Memory (ROM), and/or other types of nonvolatile memory.Additional components of an IHS may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious I/O devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen, and/or avideo display. An IHS may also include one or more buses operable totransmit communications between the various hardware components.

As described, an IHS may utilize a docking station in order to accessexternal I/O devices. In addition, a docking station may supply an IHSwith electrical power that may be used to power the IHS and to rechargethe internal batteries of the IHS. A docking station according toembodiments may support docking, and thus power delivery, for variousdifferent types of IHSs. For instance, in some embodiments, a dockingstation may support power delivery for IHSs conforming to therequirements of a power delivery protocol, such as the USB (UniversalSerial Bus) power delivery specification. In such embodiments, a dockingstation my also support power delivery via a bypass auxiliary powerdelivery pathway via which certain IHSs may be provided power in excessof the supported power delivery protocol. In addition, a docking stationaccording to embodiments may support dual power delivery pathways thatmay be used to power a single IHS or to separately power different IHSs.As described in additional detail with regard to the below embodiments,the docking station may provide certain IHSs with auxiliary power viathese dual power pathways.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of an IHS 100configured according to certain embodiments for use with a dockingstation supporting dual bypass pathways for providing the IHS 100 withauxiliary power. As described, a mobile IHS may utilize a dockingstation from which the mobile IHS may receive power and may supportvarious I/O devices, such as external displays, keyboards and mice. Incertain embodiments IHS 100 may include a docking interface 114 by whichthe IHS 100 may receive power, receive inputs from external inputdevices and transmit outputs to external output devices. In certainembodiments, docking interface 114 may include logic that executesprogram instructions to perform certain of the operations disclosedherein for interfacing with a docking station supporting dual bypasspathways for providing auxiliary power. While a single IHS 100 isillustrated in FIG. 1, IHS 100 may be a component of an enterprisesystem that may include any number of additional IHSs that may also beconfigured in the same or similar manner to IHS 100.

IHS 100 includes one or more processors 101, such as a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), that execute code retrieved from a system memory105. Although IHS 100 is illustrated with a single processor 101, otherembodiments may include two or more processors, that may each beconfigured identically, or to provide specialized processing functions.Processor 101 may include any processor capable of executing programinstructions, such as an Intel Pentium™ series processor or anygeneral-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety ofInstruction Set Architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, POWERPC®, ARM®,SPARC®, or MIPS® ISAs, or any other suitable ISA.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the processor 101 includes an integratedmemory controller 118 that may be implemented directly within thecircuitry of the processor 101, or the memory controller 118 may be aseparate integrated circuit that is located on the same die as theprocessor 101. The memory controller 118 may be configured to manage thetransfer of data to and from the system memory 105 of the IHS 100 via ahigh-speed memory interface 104.

The system memory 105 that is coupled to processor 101 provides theprocessor 101 with a high-speed memory that may be used in the executionof computer program instructions by the processor 101. Accordingly,system memory 105 may include memory components, such as such as staticRAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), NAND Flash memory, suitable forsupporting high-speed memory operations by the processor 101. In certainembodiments, system memory 105 may combine both persistent, non-volatilememory and volatile memory. In certain embodiments, the system memory105 may be comprised of multiple removable memory modules.

IHS 100 utilizes a chipset 103 that may include one or more integratedcircuits that are connect to processor 101. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,processor 101 is depicted as a component of chipset 103. In otherembodiments, all of chipset 103, or portions of chipset 103 may beimplemented directly within the integrated circuitry of the processor101. Chipset 103 provides the processor(s) 101 with access to a varietyof resources accessible via bus 102. In IHS 100, bus 102 is illustratedas a single element. Various embodiments may utilize any number of busesto provide the illustrated pathways served by bus 102.

As illustrated, a variety of resources may be coupled to theprocessor(s) 101 of the IHS 100 through the chipset 103. For instance,chipset 103 may be coupled to a network interface 109 that may supportdifferent types of network connectivity. In certain embodiments, IHS 100may include one or more Network Interface Controllers (NIC), each ofwhich may implement the hardware required for communicating via aspecific networking technology, such as Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, Ethernet andmobile cellular networks (e.g., CDMA, TDMA, LTE). As illustrated,network interface 109 may support network connections by wired networkcontrollers 122 and wireless network controller 123. Each networkcontroller 122, 123 may be coupled via various buses to the chipset 103of IHS 100 in supporting different types of network connectivity, suchas the network connectivity utilized in applications of the operatingsystem of IHS 100.

Chipset 103 may also provide access to one or more integrated displaydevice(s) 108 via graphics processor 107. IHS 100 may also support useof one or more external displays, such as external monitors that may becoupled to IHS 100 via a docking interface 114. In certain embodiments,graphics processor 107 may be comprised within a video or graphics cardor within an embedded controller installed within IHS 100. In certainembodiments, graphics processor 107 may be integrated within processor101, such as a component of a system-on-chip. Graphics processor 107 maygenerate display information and provide the generated information to anintegrated display device 108 coupled to IHS 100 or to an externaldisplay accessed via a docking station coupled to IHS 100 via thedocking interface 114.

The integrated display devices 108 and any external display devices mayutilize LCD, LED, OLED, or other display technologies. In certainembodiments, the integrated display device 108 may be capable ofreceiving touch inputs such as via a touch controller that may be anembedded component of the display device 108 or graphics processor 107,or may be a separate component of IHS 100 accessed via bus 102. Asillustrated, IHS 100 may support an integrated display device 108, suchas a display integrated into a laptop, tablet, 2-in-1 convertibledevice, or mobile device.

Chipset 103 also provides processor 101 with access to one or morestorage devices 119. In various embodiments, storage devices 119 may beintegral to the IHS 100, or may be external to the IHS 100. In certainembodiments, storage device 119 may be accessed via a storage controllerthat may be an integrated component of the storage device. Storagedevice 119 may be implemented using any memory technology allowing IHS100 to store and retrieve data. For instance, storage device 119 may bea magnetic hard disk storage drive or a solid-state storage drive. Incertain embodiments, storage device 119 may be a system of storagedevices, such as a cloud drive accessible via network interface 109.

As illustrated, IHS 100 also includes a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)117 that may be stored in a non-volatile memory accessible by chipset103 via bus 102. Upon powering or restarting IHS 100, processor(s) 101may utilize BIOS 117 instructions to initialize and test hardwarecomponents coupled to the IHS 100. The BIOS 117 instructions may alsoload an operating system for use by the IHS 100. The BIOS 117 providesan abstraction layer that allows the operating system to interface withthe hardware components of the IHS 100. The Unified Extensible FirmwareInterface (UEFI) was designed as a successor to BIOS. As a result, manymodern IHSs utilize UEFI in addition to or instead of a BIOS. As usedherein, BIOS is intended to also encompass UEFI.

In certain embodiments, chipset 103 may utilize one or more I/Ocontrollers 110 that may each support hardware components such asintegrated user I/O devices 111. For instance, I/O controller 110 mayprovide access to one or more integrated user I/O devices 111 such as akeyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, microphone, speakers, camera and otherinput and output devices that may be integrated components of IHS 100.In certain embodiments, additional user I/O devices may be supported viawireless connections supported by a wireless network controller 123 ofthe IHS 100.

Other components of IHS 100 may include one or more I/O ports 116 thesupport removeable couplings with various types of peripheral externaldevices. For instance, I/O 116 ports may include USB (Universal SerialBus) ports and USB-C ports, by which a variety of external devices maybe coupled to IHS 100. I/O ports 116 may include various types of portsand couplings that support connections with external devices andsystems, either through temporary couplings via ports, such as USBports, accessible to a user via the enclosure of the IHS 100, or throughmore permanent couplings via expansion slots provided via themotherboard or via an expansion card of IHS 100, such as PCIe slots.

In various embodiments, IHS 100 may be coupled to a docking station viaan I/O port 116, such as a USB-C port, that may serve as a dockinginterface 114. Other embodiments may utilize other types of I/O ports asa docking interface for coupling IHS 100 to a docking station. Asdescribed, a docking station may provide IHS 100 with power via adocking interface 114. In certain embodiments, the docking interface 114may also support data transmissions between the IHS 100 and the dockingstation. In certain embodiments in which the docking interface 114 is aUSB-C port, IHS 100 may support power delivery via the docking interface114 that conforms to the USB power delivery specification. As describedbelow, a docking station according to embodiments may be configured tosupport power delivery to IHS 100 according to the USB power deliveryprotocol. However, in certain embodiments, IHS 100 may additionally oralternatively support power delivery that is not provided according tothe USB power delivery protocol. Accordingly, the docking stationaccording to embodiments may be further configured to support powerdelivery to IHS 100 in a manner that bypasses the restrictions of thepower delivery protocol and instead provide IHS 100 with the DC inputpower received from an AC adapter used to power the docking station.

In the illustrated embodiment, IHS 100 also includes a power circuit 124that receives power inputs used for powering IHS 100 and for chargingbatteries from which the IHS 100 operates. IHS 100 may include a powerport to which an AC adapter may be coupled. As described, IHS 100 mayalso include a docking interface 114 by which power may be received byIHS 100. For instance, IHS 100 may include a USB-C port that may serveas a docking interface 114 that supports the power delivery from adocking station. In such embodiments, the power received from thedocking interface 114 may be provided to the power circuit 124 forpowering IHS 100 and charging its batteries.

As described in additional detail below, IHS 100 may also support adocking interface 114 that is comprised of two distinct ports that maybe utilized separately or in combination to provide a dual pathway powerand data connection with the docking station. For instance, IHS 100 mayinclude two USB-C ports that may each receive USB-C connectors of adocking cable that is used to couple the IHS 100 to the docking station.In such embodiments, the use of the docking interface 114 comprised ofdual docking ports allows the docking station to provide IHS 100 withmore power than would be possible using a single docking port.

As described with regard to embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, in certainembodiments, the docking interface 114 may support queries that areutilized by the docking station to determine the power delivery andrequirements of IHS 100. In such embodiments, docking interface 114 mayquery the power circuit 124 in order to determine the power transferconfigurations that may be supported by the IHS 100. For instance,docking interface 114 may report that IHS 100 requires power deliveryaccording to the USB power delivery specification, or may report thatIHS 100 may support power routed directly from a supported AC adapter.Additionally, docking interface 114 may also report whether IHS 100include support for power delivery via dual power delivery couplings,such as delivery of power via dual USB-C ports.

In various embodiments, an IHS 100 does not include each of thecomponents shown in FIG. 1. In various embodiments, an IHS 100 mayinclude various additional components in addition to those that areshown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, some components that are represented asseparate components in FIG. 1 may in certain embodiments instead beintegrated with other components. For example, in certain embodiments,all or a portion of the functionality provided by the illustratedcomponents may instead be provided by components integrated into the oneor more processor(s) 101 as a systems-on-a-chip.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem that includes a docking station 260 and an IHS 205. In manyscenarios, an IHS 205 that utilizes a docking station 260 may be amobile IHS that may be used at various locations, including at aworkstation at which docking station 260 is provided. As illustrated, adocking station 260 may provide a mobile IHS 205 with use of one or moreexternal displays 225. A docking station 260 may also provide use ofvarious user I/O devices 235, such as a mouse and keyboard, which may becoupled to the docking station 260 via wired or wireless connections.While coupled to docking station 260, mobile IHS 205 may be configuredsuch that all user inputs and outputs generated in the operation of themobile IHS 205 are provided via docking station 260, while some or allof the user input and output capabilities of mobile IHS 205 may bedisabled.

As illustrated, a mobile IHS 205 may be coupled to a docking station 260via a docking cable 215. In certain instances, the docking station 260includes a docking interface 220 that receives one end of the dockingcable 215 and the mobile IHS 205 includes a docking port 210 thatreceives the other end of the docking cable 215. Other types of dockinginterfaces require a mobile IHS to be plugged directly to a dockingstation, such as via mating of an external connector of the mobile IHSwith a compatible coupling provided by the docking station. In FIG. 2, adocking cable 215 is used to connect the docking station 260 and themobile IHS 205.

Also as illustrated, a docking station 260 may be coupled to an ACadapter 230 and by which the docking station 260 receives DC power. Thedocking station 260 may use the received DC power to provide power tomobile IHS 205. Other types of docking stations may transfer power to anIHS via a direct power coupling or through a dedicated power cord. Inthe docking station 260 of FIG. 2, the single docking cable 215 is usedto transmit both the DC power provided to mobile IHS 205 and the datatransmitted between the docking station 260 and the mobile IHS. Forinstance, a USB-C cable may be utilized to connect the docking station260 to a USB-C port 210 of the mobile IHS 205. In certain instances, thepower that may be provided via a single docking cable 215 may beinsufficient to fully power certain mobile IHSs 205.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of an embodiment of an IHS docking cable 240that supports dual power pathways for providing power to mobile IHSsthat may utilize more power than can be provided via a docking cablethat includes a single power pathway. As illustrated, the docking cable240 may include two branches, each including its own plug 245 a and 245b. Although not illustrated, in certain embodiments the two branches ofdocking cable 240 may be joined to form a single cable for a substantialportion of the length of the power cable. In certain embodiments, bothends of docking cable 240 may be identical and may operate as describedwith regard to FIGS. 2B-C. In other embodiments, the end of the dockingcable 240 that is received by the mobile IHS may operate as describedwith regard to FIGS. 2B-C and the other end of the docking cablereceived by the docking station may operate differently.

As illustrated, the docking cable 240 includes two plugs 245 a and 245b, each of which provides a power and data coupling between a dockingstation and a mobile IHS. Each of the plugs 245 a and 245 b includes aconnector 255 a and 255 b that is received by a compatible docking portof the mobile IHS. In certain embodiments, the connectors 255 a and 255b are USB-C connectors that are received by USB-C ports of the dockedmobile IHS. In certain embodiments, each of the plugs 245 a and 245 b ofthe docking cable may include magnets 250 a and 250 b on correspondingsurfaces of the respective plugs 245 a and 245 b. Although a singlemagnet 250 a and 250 b is illustrated on each of the plugs 245 a and 245b, certain embodiments may utilize multiple magnets in each of the plugs245 a and 245 b, where the polarity and positioning of each magnet of aplug is selected in order for each magnet to interface with acorresponding magnet on the other plug. In other embodiments, mechanismsother than magnets may be utilized to join individual plugs into asingle docking plug. For instance, each plug may include correspondingtongue and groove structures that allow a user to slide the two plugstogether until they are temporarily joined to form a single dockingplug.

FIG. 2C is an illustration of a second configuration of an embodiment ofan IHS docking cable 240 that supports dual power pathways. In FIG. 2C,the two branches of the docking cable 240 have been joined to form asingle plug that includes two connectors 255 a and 255 b. In certainembodiments, each of the two connectors 255 a and 255 b may be a USB-Cconnector. The single docking plug may be formed via the coupling of thecorresponding magnets of the individual plugs 245 a and 245 b. Join inthis manner, the individual plugs 245 a and 245 b may be manipulated bythe user as a single docking plug, thus freeing the user from having tomanage multiple plugs for docking an IHS. Other embodiments may utilizeadditional or alternative mechanisms than the described magnets forjoining the individual plugs 245 a and 245 b into a single docking plug.

FIG. 2D is an illustration of an embodiment of an IHS docking cable 240that is coupled to an IHS and provides the IHS with dual power pathways.As illustrated, the docking plug formed from joining the individualplugs 245 a and 245 b may be received by docking ports supported by theIHS 265. To receive the joined docking plug, the IHS 265 includes twoadjacent docking ports that each receive one of the connectors of thejoined docking plug. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the individualplugs 245 a and 245 b may designed such that respective connectors of ajointed docking plug are spaced at a distance corresponding to thedistance between the adjacent docking ports supported by certain typesof IHSs. In certain embodiments, the docking plug may be utilized innon-adjacent ports of an IHS, in which case the individual plugs 245 aand 245 b may be separated and each branch of the docking cable may berouted to one of the non-adjacent ports.

Using the docking cable of FIGS. 2B-D, an IHS 265 may receive a singleplug that includes two connectors, where each connector provides aseparate power and data pathway between the docking station and the IHS.As described in additional detail below, in certain embodiments, adocking station may support dual power pathways via the two connectors255 a and 255 b, where the dual power pathways may provide a docked IHSwith a doubling of the power that may be drawn from the docking stationvia a single power pathway docking cable. In addition, a docking stationaccording to embodiments may support providing auxiliary bypass powervia each of the individual connectors 255 a and 255 b of the dockingplug, thus providing the IHS with additional, auxiliary amounts ofpower.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem supporting a bypass pathway for providing auxiliary power to amobile IHS 305 coupled to a docking station 360. In the illustratedembodiment, a mobile IHS 305 may be coupled to a docking station 360 viaa single docking cable 315 that is received at one end by a docking port310 of the IHS and on the other end by a docking interface 320 of thedocking station. In certain embodiments, the docking cable 315 may be aUSB-C cable that is received by USB-C ports of the mobile IHS 305 andthe docking station 360. As described, the docking cable 315 may be usedto transfer power from the docking station 360 to the mobile IHS 305 andmay be additionally used to transfer data between the docking station360 and the mobile IHS 305.

In providing power to the mobile IHS 305, the docking station 360 mayreceive power via an AC adapter 330 that is coupled to a DC powerconnector 335 supported by the docking station. In certain embodiments,a soft start circuit 340 may be utilized to limit the rate of currentflows to the power circuitry of the docking station 360 during startupconditions when input power is being initially received from the ACadapter 330. The input power received from the DC power connector 335may then be routed via one of two power pathways to the dockinginterface 320 for use by the coupled mobile IHS 305. As described, thedocking cable 315 by which the mobile IHS is coupled to the dockingstation 360 may be a USB-C cable. Accordingly, the docking station 360may support power and data transfers that conform to USB specifications,such as the USB 3.1 data transfer specification and the USB powerdelivery specification. In support of such USB-C power transfers, thedocking station 360 may include a protocol compliant power pathway 375that generates power transfers compliant with the USB power deliveryspecification.

As illustrated, the protocol compliant power pathway 375 may utilize avoltage regulator 370 that converts the input DC power received from theDC power connector 335 to a voltage supported by a power deliveryprotocol. For instance, a voltage regulator 370 supporting the USB powerdelivery specification may be configured to generate industry supportedoutput voltages, such as output voltages of 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V. Theoutput generated by voltage regulator 370 is received by a portcontroller 365 which is configured to generate the output voltageV_(BUS) at a current that is conforms the power delivery protocol in useby the mobile IHS 305. In compliance with a power delivery protocol suchas the USB power delivery specification, the port controller 365 may belimited in the output current that may be provided. For instance,compliance with the USB power delivery specification may restrict theoutput of port controller 365 to currents that are no more than 5 A oroverall power output greater than 100 W. Smaller currents and poweroutput may also be supported, but port controller 365 may includecircuitry that prevents transmission at current levels greater than 5 Aor power output greater than 100 W. In this manner, docking station 360may utilize the protocol compliant power pathway to support docking of amobile IHS 305 that utilizes a specific power delivery protocol, such asthe USB power delivery specification.

Certain IHSs may be capable of utilizing power in excess of the poweroutput supported by the power delivery protocol that is supported by theprotocol compliant power pathway 375. Accordingly, in addition tosupporting power transfers compliant with a protocol such as the USBpower delivery specification, docking station 360 may utilize a bypassauxiliary power pathway 380 that may deliver greater power to a mobileIHS 305 than is possible using the power compliant power pathway 375. Asillustrated, the bypass auxiliary power pathway 380 may receive DC inputpower from the DC power connector 335 and may utilize a pair of loadswitching transistors 390 a and 390 b that may be operated by switchinglogic 385 to provide the DC input power from DC power connector 335directly to the mobile IHS 305. In this manner, the power compliantpower pathway may be used to route power (commonly 240 W of powerprovided at 19.5V) directly from the AC adapter 330 to the mobile IHS305.

In certain embodiments, docking station 360 may include an embeddedcontroller 325 that executes instructions that are operable fordetermining whether the mobile IHS 205 coupled to the docking interface320 requires power delivery that is compliant with a particular powerdelivery protocol, or whether the mobile IHS 205 supports auxiliarypower that may be provided by bypassing the restrictions of the powerdelivery protocol. For instance, the embedded controller 325 may detectthe coupling of an IHS to docking interface 320. Upon detecting thedocking of mobile IHS 305, the embedded controller 325 may exchangemessages with the mobile IHS 305 in order to determine the powerrequirements of the mobile IHS. For instance, the embedded controller325 may interrogate the power capabilities of the mobile IHS 305 usingvendor defined messages supported by the signaling protocol that is usedto support the data transmission capabilities of the docking cable 315.

In scenarios where the embedded controller 325 determines that themobile IHS 305 requires power delivery according to a power deliveryprotocol supported by the docking station 360, the embedded controller325 activates the port controller 365 of the protocol compliant powerpathway 375. In addition, the embedded controller 325 directs theswitching logic 385 of the bypass auxiliary power pathway 380 toconfigure the load switching transistors 390 a and 390 b to preventcurrent from flowing in either direction along the bypass auxiliarypower pathway 380. Based on such configurations directed by the embeddedcontroller 325, the docking station 360 may be used to provide powerinterchangeably to different types of docked IHSs, where some types ofdocked IHSs may be provided power according to a power delivery protocoland other types of docked IHSs may be provided auxiliary power directlyfrom the DC power source of the docking station 360.

In addition to providing a pathway for supporting greater power outputsthen supported by a power delivery protocol, the bypass auxiliary powerpathway 380 provides several advantages in the operation of the dockingstation 360. In many instances, a voltage regulator 370 may beimplemented as a buck-boost voltage regulator that converts an inputvoltage to a particular output voltage in a manner that dissipates acertain amount of power and generates heat. In comparison, the loadswitching transistors 390 a and 390 b transmit received DC powerdirectly to the mobile IHS 305, thus providing a more efficiently powerdelivery pathway than is possible via the voltage regulator 370. Due tothe increased efficiency provided by the bypass auxiliary power pathway,less heat is generated. As a result, docking station 360 may operatewith decreased cooling requirements, thus allowing for slower fan speedsand less fan noise when compared to power delivery using the powercompliant power pathway.

Besides providing increased efficiency compared to the protocolcompliant power pathway 375, the bypass auxiliary power pathway 380 mayalso be used to support greater peak currents than are supported by theprotocol compliant power pathway 375. As described, in instances wherethe power compliant power pathway 375 provides power outputs accordingto the USB power delivery specification, output currents may be limitedto 5 A. Even when unrestricted by a power delivery protocol, thecircuitry required to implement the power compliant power pathway 375serves to limit the peak currents that can be provided using thispathway. Accordingly, the bypass auxiliary power pathway 380 may be usedto deliver greater peak currents than possible via a power compliantpower delivery pathway. Upon the embedded controller 325 determiningthat the docked mobile IHS 305 supports delivery of power directly fromthe DC power source of the docking station 360, the embedded controller325 may configure the switching logic 385 to operate the load switchingtransistors 390 a and 390 b to allow for bypass auxiliary powerdelivery, thus proving mobile IHS 305 with a power supply that supportsgreater peak currents that are supported by the power compliant powerpathway.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of a dockingsystem supporting dual bypass pathways that are each capable ofproviding auxiliary power to a mobile IHS 405. As described with regardto the dual-connector docking plug of FIGS. 2B-D, a docking cableaccording to embodiments may consist of two separate cables 415 a and415 b, each of which may support both data and power transmissions. Asdescribed with regard to FIG. 1, an IHS may include dual ports thatsupport docking. In this manner, the mobile IHS 405 includes two dockingports 410 a and 410 b. In certain embodiments, each of the docking ports410 a and 410 b may be USB-C ports that receive USB-C connectors of therespective docking cables 415 a and 415 b.

In certain embodiments, the docking ports 410 a and 410 b may be locatedadjacent to each and may thus be compatible with the joined docking plugof FIGS. 2B-D. In other embodiments, docking ports 410 a and 410 b maybe positioned at nonadjacent locations of mobile IHS 405, such as onopposite sides of mobile IHS 405. In other embodiments, docking ports410 a and 410 b may be located on different IHSs, in which case thedocking station 460 may provide power to two different IHSs via separatedocking cables 415 a and 415 b.

As with the docking station of FIG. 3, the docking station 460 receiveDC power from an AC adapter 430 at a DC power connector 435. The dockingstation 460 also includes a soft start circuit 340 that may limitcurrent flows to the power circuitry of the docking station 360 duringstartup conditions. As illustrated, the docking station 460 of FIG. 4includes two bypass auxiliary pathways 480 a and 480 b. As with thedocking station of FIG. 3, the embedded controller 425 of dockingstation 460 may utilize vendor defined messages transmitted via dockingcables 415 a and/or 415 b in order to determine the power capabilitiesof the mobile IHS 405. In certain scenarios, the interrogation byembedded controller 425 may determine that docking cables 415 a and 415b are coupled to different IHSs, in which case the embedded controller425 may interrogate each of the IHSs in order to determine theirrespective power delivery capabilities. Based upon the interrogation bythe embedded controller 425, one or both of the bypass auxiliarypathways 480 a and 480 b may be activated.

If one or both of the bypass auxiliary pathways 480 a and/or 480 b isactivated, the embedded controller 425 also disables the power portcontrollers 465 a and/or 465 b of the corresponding protocol compliantpathway 475 that is being bypassed. For instance, if the interrogationmessages transmitted by the embedded controller 425 via the dockingcables 415 a and 415 b indicate that both docking cables are coupled tothe same mobile IHS and the mobile IHS is support auxiliary powertransfers, both power port controllers 465 a and 465 b may be disabled,thus preventing flow of current in either direction via these power portcontrollers. In another scenario, if the interrogation messagestransmitted by the embedded controller 425 indicate that docking cable415 a is coupled to a docking port 410 a that requires USB compliantpower delivery and docking cable 415 b is coupled to a docking port 410b that supports auxiliary power transfers, the embedded controller 425may disable bypass auxiliary pathway 480 a and also disable power portcontroller 465 b. Configured in this manner, the docking station thussupports one protocol compliant power delivery pathway and one bypassauxiliary power delivery pathway. In some instances, the power deliverypathways may support docking by one IHS or contemporaneous docking bytwo separate IHSs.

In certain scenarios, the interrogation by embedded controller 425 mayindicate that the mobile IHS 405 is configured to receive poweraccording to a power delivery protocol supported by the docking stationand does not support auxiliary power in excess of the limits specifiedby the power delivery protocol. In such instances, the embeddedcontroller 425 disables both of the bypass auxiliary pathways 480 a and480 b. As described with regard to FIG. 3, the embedded controller 425may disable a bypass auxiliary pathway 480 a and/or 480 b by directingthe respective switching logic 485 a and/or 485 b to configure theoperation of the load switching transistors 490 a and/or 490 b toprevent the flow of current in either direction along the disabledbypass pathways. By disabling an auxiliary bypass pathway 480 a or 480b, power is provided to the respective docking cable 415 a or 415 b viathe protocol compliant power pathway 475.

As illustrated, the protocol compliant power pathway 475 may include asingle voltage regulator 470 that supports regulated voltage outputs byeach of the power port controllers 465 a and 465 b. Based on theconfiguration by the embedded controller 425, the power port controllers465 a and 465 b may be individually enabled or disabled. As with theembodiment of FIG. 3, in scenarios where embedded controller 425determines that the mobile IHS 405 requires power inputs according to apower delivery protocol, such as the USB power delivery specification,the embedded controller 425 may configure one or both of the power portcontrollers 465 a and/or 465 b to provide power to the mobile IHS 405via a power delivery protocol supported by the protocol compliant powerdelivery pathway 475.

As described, certain IHSs may support power inputs in excess of thosethat may be provided according to the power delivery protocol supportedby the protocol compliant power delivery pathway 475. Accordingly, upondetermining the mobile IHS 405 supports such auxiliary power delivery,the embedded controller 425 may enable one or both of the bypassauxiliary power pathways 480 a and/or 480 b. In scenarios where bothbypass auxiliary pathways 480 a and 480 b are enabled, each bypasspathway delivers input DC power received by the DC power connector 435of the docking station 460 directly to the mobile IHS. Configured inthis manner, each of the docking cables 415 a and 415 b provide mobileIHS with a separate source of DC power.

As described with regard to FIGS. 2B-D, a single docking cable may beformed by joining two separate plugs such that the single docking cableincludes two separate connectors that may be received by adjacentdocking ports 410 a and 410 b of the mobile IHS 405. In certainembodiments, such dual docking cables may be dual USB-C docking cables.In scenarios where a dual USB-C docking cable 415 a and 415 b isutilized and bypass auxiliary power pathways have been configured foreach docking cable, docking station 460 may provide IHS 405 with over100 W via each of the dual USB-C docking cables 415 a and 415 b. In sucha configuration, the combined average power delivered to mobile IHS 405is thus greater than 200 W, with delivery of peak power up toapproximately 400 W. This allows for docking of an IHS 405 use of asingle docking plug, rather than docking the IHS 405 using a USB-Cconnector for data transmissions and a separate powering the IHS 405using an AC adapter.

As described with regard to FIG. 3, the minimal circuitry required toimplement the bypass auxiliary power pathways provides for a moreefficient operation of the docking station compared to the use of thepower compliant power pathway. In scenarios, such as the docking station460 of FIG. 4, that utilize dual power delivery pathways, the minimalcircuitry required to implement the bypass auxiliary power pathwaysallows for easier impedance matching of the alternate pathways whencompared to the power compliant power pathways. For instance, slightdifferences in impedance of the power port controllers 465 a and 465 bmay result in large imbalances of current flow when both power portcontrollers 465 a and 465 b are enabled. Conversely, the relativesimplicity of load switching transistors utilized in the bypassauxiliary power pathways 480 a and 480 b can be expected to result insmaller impedance mismatches between the two bypass auxiliary powerpathways 480 a and 480 b. Accordingly, more balanced flow of current maybe observed when both bypass auxiliary power pathways 480 a and 480 bare enabled.

As described, the embedded controller 425 of the docking station 460 maybe utilized to determine the power delivery requirements of each of thedocking ports 410 a and 410 b of the mobile IHS 405. In variousscenarios, the embedded controller 425 may determine that an IHS 405supports docking using dual power pathways, in which case docking cableconnectors are received at two power ports 410 a and 410 b of the mobileIHS 405. In USB-C embodiments, each of the dual power pathways alsosupports data transmissions between the mobile IHS 405 and the dockingstation 460, where the data transmissions are used to support thedocking functions other than power, such as the use of external displaysand other I/O devices. Accordingly, in scenarios where dual powerdelivery pathways are being utilized, the embedded controller 425 may beconfigured to support a data connection used for docking functions otherthan power to a single docking cable.

In scenarios in which dual power pathways are enabled, a docking stationmay restrict docking functions other than power to a single dockingcable, but may still support power delivery to additionally IHSs. Forinstance, in certain embodiments, docking may be supported for a firstIHS via a first docking cable and power delivery may be supported for asecond IHS via a second docking cable. In certain embodiments, powerdelivery by the docking station for separate IHSs may be supported usingtwo separate docking cables or using the docking cable of FIGS. 2B-Dwith the docking plug split into two separate plugs that are coupled todifferent IHSs.

In scenarios in which dual power delivery pathways are enabled,disconnection of one of the docking cables may indicate the need toreconfigure the still connected docking cable. For instance, embeddedcontroller 425 may renegotiate the power delivery provided to each ofthe docking ports 410 a and 410 b upon detecting a disconnection of oneof the docking cables 415 a or 415 b. In one example, if docking cable415 a was configured for use in data transmission supporting non-powerdocking functions and is subsequently disconnected, embedded controller425 may reconfigure docking cable 415 b for use in supporting both powerand data docking functions, albeit at a lower power than previouslyprovided using the dual power pathway connection.

It should be understood that various operations described herein may beimplemented in software executed by processing circuitry, hardware, or acombination thereof. The order in which each operation of a given methodis performed may be changed, and various operations may be added,reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. It is intended that theinvention(s) described herein embrace all such modifications and changesand, accordingly, the above description should be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The terms “tangible” and “non-transitory,” as used herein, are intendedto describe a computer-readable storage medium (or “memory”) excludingpropagating electromagnetic signals; but are not intended to otherwiselimit the type of physical computer-readable storage device that isencompassed by the phrase computer-readable medium or memory. Forinstance, the terms “non-transitory computer readable medium” or“tangible memory” are intended to encompass types of storage devicesthat do not necessarily store information permanently, including, forexample, RAM. Program instructions and data stored on a tangiblecomputer-accessible storage medium in non-transitory form may afterwardsbe transmitted by transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, which may be conveyed via acommunication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link.

Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference tospecific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as setforth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figuresare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense,and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scopeof the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions toproblems that are described herein with regard to specific embodimentsare not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used toarbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus,these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or otherprioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operablycoupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined asone or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any formof comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any formof have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form ofinclude, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any formof contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linkingverbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those oneor more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreelements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one ormore operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreoperations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cable for coupling a docking station to afirst IHS (Information Handling System), the cable comprising: a cordcomprising, at a first end, a first plug and a second plug, wherein thefirst plug and second plug are received by the first IHS; the first plugcomprising a top surface, a front surface with a first connector fortransmitting power and data between the first IHS and the dockingstation and further comprising a first coupling located on a sidesurface adjacent to the top and front surfaces for joining the firstplug to the second plug; and the second plug comprising a top surface, afront surface with a second connector for transmitting additional powerand additional data between the first IHS and the docking station andfurther comprising a second coupling located on a side surface adjacentto the top and front surfaces for joining the first plug to the secondplug, wherein the first coupling and the second coupling are mated toform a single docking plug; and the first plug and the second plug ofthe cord provide dual power pathways from the docking station toadjacent docking ports of the first IHS.
 2. The cable of claim 1,wherein the first coupling of the first plug and the second coupling ofthe second plug are magnets of opposing polarities.
 3. The cable ofclaim 1, wherein the first coupling of the first plug and the secondcoupling of the second plug are corresponding structures that are matedto join the first plug and the second plug to form the single plug. 4.The cable of claim 1, wherein the first connector and the secondconnector of the single docking plug are received by adjacent dockingports of the first IHS.
 5. The cable of claim 1, wherein the firstconnector and the second connector are USB-C connectors received byUSB-C ports of the first IHS.
 6. The cable of claim 1, wherein, when thefirst plug and the second plug are not joined to form the single dockingplug, the connector of the first plug is received by a docking port ofthe first IHS and the connector of the second plug is received by apower port of the first IHS.
 7. The cable of claim 1, wherein, when thefirst plug and the second plug are not joined to form the single dockingplug, the first plug is received by a power port of the first IHS andthe second plug is received by a power port of a second IHS.
 8. A methodfor coupling a docking station to a first IHS (Information HandlingSystem), the method comprising: connecting a first end of a cord to thedocking station, wherein a second end of the cord comprises first plugand a second plug, wherein the first plug comprises a top surface, afront surface with a first connector for transmitting power and databetween the first IHS and the docking station, and wherein the secondplug comprises a top surface, a front surface with a second connectorfor transmitting additional power and additional data between the firstIHS and the docking station; mating a first coupling of the first pluglocated on a side surface adjacent to the top and front surfaces with asecond coupling of the second plug located on a side surface adjacent tothe top and front surfaces to form a single docking plug at the secondend of the cord; and connecting a first connector and the secondconnector of the single docking plug to provide dual power pathways fromthe docking station to adjacent ports of an IHS.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the coupling of the first plug and the coupling of the secondplug are magnets of opposing polarities.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the coupling of the first plug and the coupling of the secondplug are corresponding structures that are mated to join the first plugand the second plug to form the single plug.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the first connector and the second connector are USB-Cconnectors received by USB-C ports of the first IHS.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: decoupling the single docking plug toseparate the first plug from the second plug; connecting the first plugto a docking port of the first IHS; and connecting the second plug to apower port of the first IHS.
 13. A system comprising: an IHS(Information Handling System) comprising: one or more processors; one ormore memory devices coupled to the one or more processors, the memorydevices storing computer-readable instructions that, upon execution bythe one or more processors, provide an operating system for users of theIHS; a power circuit; and adjacent docking ports coupled to a dockinginterface of the IHS, wherein the docking interface routes powerreceived from the adjacent docking ports to the power circuit of theIHS; and a docking cable comprising: a cord comprising, at a first end,a first plug and a second plug, wherein the first plug and second plugare received by the adjacent docking ports of the IHS; the first plugcomprising a top surface, a front surface with a first connector fortransmitting power and data between the IHS and the docking station andfurther comprising a first coupling located on a side surface adjacentto the top and front surfaces for joining the first plug to the secondplug; and the second plug comprising a top surface, a front surface witha second connector for transmitting additional power and additional databetween the IHS and the docking station and further comprising a secondcoupling located on a side surface adjacent to the top and frontsurfaces for joining the first plug to the second plug, wherein thefirst coupling and the second coupling are mated to form a singledocking plug to provide dual power pathways from the docking station toadjacent ports of an IHS.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thecoupling of the first plug and the coupling of the second plug aremagnets of opposing polarities.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein thecoupling of the first plug and the coupling of the second plug arecorresponding structures that are mated to join the first plug and thesecond plug to form the single plug.
 16. The system of claim 13, whereinthe first connector and the second connector are USB-C connectorsreceived by adjacent USB-C ports of the IHS.
 17. The system of claim 13,wherein the single docking plug is decoupled to separate the first plugfrom the second plug and the first plug is connected to one of theadjacent docking ports of the IHS; and the second plug is connected to apower port of the first IHS.